Addressing Teen Mental Health Challenges

This mental health toolkit is designed for middle and high school students, but if you are a little older or a little younger, the information in this toolkit may be valuable for you too. If you are a parent or caregiver of a young adult, you may want to access helpful information for supporting teen mental health via our Mental Health Toolkit for Parents and Guardians of Teens .

The purpose of this mental health toolkit is to provide you with information and resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

The Welcome section of this toolkit provides an overview of the current mental health status of teens in the United States, explains how to use the toolkit, and explains what mental health means and how it is related to other important parts of your life, health, and wellbeing

The Mental Health Toolkit section begins by guiding you through responding to a crisis, whether it’s a friend, or your own. There is guidance about how to ask for help and accessing mental health services, and you will learn about the most common mental health challenges that teens currently face.

Each of the Challenges sections include common signs that a teen may display when facing each challenge and guidance on how to work through mental health challenges and access support, including activities to help you effectively address concerning thoughts and/or behaviors, and resources that can help you navigate mental and behavioral health services.

The final portion of the Mental Health Toolkit section focuses on mental health maintenance. You will learn about the factors that impact mental health and wellbeing and be guided through happiness exercises designed to help you stay well.

Using the Resources section as well as resource lists throughout the toolkit, you will be able to create your own list of mental health resources from reliable local, state, and national organizations.

Please note that this mental health toolkit only addresses some of the most common mental health challenges that impact middle and high school students. We can give you general recommendations, but for an action plan tailored to your own needs, please connect with a licensed mental health provider. This can be found on accessing mental health services.

We think there are a lot of great resources in this toolkit, but we also know that some families and teens may need specialized support. If you are or your family have immigrant status, there are additional specific resources outlined below.

Reasons for migration are varied and include moving away from persecution, human right abuses, disasters, war, reuniting with family, and seeking new opportunities. During the relocating process, you and your family may have experienced trauma, fear, and anxiety. Language and immigration status add additional barriers that can make finding mental health services in the U.S. difficult. However, there are services available in Los Angeles County that provide health care to everyone regardless of immigration status. Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has a list of specialized services for immigrant populations at Immigrant Services website and 211LA is another helpful tool for Immigration Resources (211LA). El Centro De Amistad offers free mental health support to uninsured or undocumented individuals between the ages of 0 and 64.

If you live with special health care needs (CYSHCN) we know that your family may require specialized support when it comes to mental health. In Los Angeles County, you are eligible for Regional Center services. The Regional Centers work with the California Department of Developmental Services to coordinate or provide community support, resources, and access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. There are 7 Regional Centers in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health provides more information on their Regional Centers webpage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as including our emotional, psychological, and social well-being². It affects our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Mental health impacts the way that we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It is important to remember that poor mental health and mental illnesses are not the same thing: a person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness.

Mental health affects various aspects of your life including, academic performance, decision making, and overall health and wellness. Mental health problems have been associated with behavioral risks like drug use, violence, and high-risk sexual behaviors³. If left untreated, or treated inappropriately, mental health problems can lead to big life consequences such as dropping out of school, unemployment, arrest, and early death⁴.

Adolescence is a time full of many changes in your life: physiological changes, shifts in relationships between friends and family, and greater independence as you seek your “voice” and determine what you like and dislike as your adult life takes shape. Added pressures in high school - “Should I take the drama class or the AP Spanish course?” “Will I have time for the baseball team and time to hang out with my friends?” “Will my college application stand out to my dream university?” “Should I go to community college, trade tech, university, or begin to get work experience right after high school?” - make the transition from childhood to young adulthood more difficult.